Facial tissue dispenser



Nov. 7, 1961 M. DONOVAN 3,007,605

FACIAL TISSUE DISPENSER Filed Feb. 13, 1956 Conn.

This invention relates to improvements in facial tissues, facial tissue packages, and the manner of folding facial tissues, and has for one of its objects the provision of a novel stack of facial tissues from which the user may withdraw a tissue in substantially conventional multi-ply form or may withdraw the tissue in the form of an unusually large single ply sheet. The option as to the form in which the sheet may be withdrawn may be exercised in connection with every tissue in the stack and entirely independently of the form in which a preceding tissue may have been withdrawn.

This invention constitutes a modification offering specific advantages in particular uses over the invention disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 2,627,974, granted February 10, 1953.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel package of facial tissues which will permit greater economy and versatility in the use of the tissues.

Another object of the invention is to so fold tissues and and arrange a stack thereof that each tissue in such stack may be removed for use in either multi-ply or single-ply rorm.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. A preferred form of the invention is disclosed herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facial tissue dispenser filled with facial tissues embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse section of the upper portion of the dispenser with the tissues in place and ready for use; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged and expanded diagrammatic sectional view showing the folds of a tissue embodying the present invention.

A facial tissue is usually a unitary structure made up of two or more separate plies of light, thin, absorbent cellulosic material. Ordinarily the individual plies comprising each such tissue are superimposed in registry and edge portions thereof are folded inwardly so as substantially to abut along a line approximately midway of the width of the tissue. Such tissues are usually sold by the stack packed in a dispensing container having a slot in vertical alignment with the folded edges of the tissues. In some instances, the infolded edges of successive unitary tissues within the stack are interleaved so that upon withdrawal of one tissue from the stack the edge of the next succeeding tissue is automatically brought through the dispensing opening so as to be readily available when it is desired to withdraw the next tissue. In other instances the edges of succeeding unitary tissues are not interleaved and consequently the tissues are withdrawn one at a time by inserting the fingers through the dispensing opening and grasping either edge of the top tissue in the stack.

In both of the instances described above, each tissue is necessarily withdrawn as a unit made up of all of its several plies.

In my Patent No. 2,627,974, the tissues are so arranged in a stack that the user, at his option, may withdraw a unitary multi-ply tissue or he may withdraw the individual plies one at a time. In the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration in my patent aforesaid, the individual plies forming each tissue are separate whereby the user may withdraw either multi-ply or single-ply tissues having identical dimensions. Also, in said previously illustrated embodiment, if the user withdraws the uppermost single-ply of a multiply tissue, it will not be possible to withdraw a complete multi-ply tissue in the next operation. That is, the one or more plies remaining. of the tissue from which the single-ply was withdrawn will remain on the top of the stack.

When consideration is given to the uses for which single plies are particularly adapted, it appears that a single ply of unusually large dimensions is particularly desirable. Thus, while double, triple or other multiple ply tissues are desirable where strength is a factor, single plies are particularly desirable in uses where absorptive capacity is primarily important. For example, in removing face creams, wiping spilled liquids, etc., several single-ply tissues will absorb liquids more rapidly than a corresponding number of tissues in multi-ply form. According to the present invention, the user has complete option in connection with each tissue removed from the stack as to whether a multi-ply tissue, which appears to be conventional in construction and dimensions, or a single-ply tissue substantially twice that size may be selected. Such selection may be effected simply by grasping one or the other of the two accessible edges lying centrally of the upper portion of each tissue within the stack.

A sectional view of a facial tissue 5 embodying the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. Such tissue comprises one integral sheet of suitable absorbent material, such as the creped cellulosic material customarily used in the manufacture of facial tissues. This single sheet is so folded as to afford a lower ply 7, an upper ply S and inwardly folded tab portions 9 and 10. It will be observed that the single sheet of material from which the tissue 5 is made is folded upon itself along the inner edge ll of the tab portion 9. The upper ply 8 is folded upon itself along a line 12 to form the tab portion 10 which terminates near the center of the structure.

The lower ply 7 preferably terminates at an edge 6, thus not being folded back upon itself beneath the upper ply 8, as is the case in the tissue disclosed in my patent, No. 2,627,974. While, as iust indicated, it is preferred to terminate the lower ply as shown in FIG. 3, it will be understood that it is within the purview of this invention to include an inwardly folded extension along the edge 6 if such is desired although in so doing certain of the economical advantages of the present invention are not fully realized, as will be discussed hereinbelow.

From a consideration of FIG. 3, it will be apparent that if the tissue 5 is grasped along the fold line 11 of the tab portion 9, the tissue may be picked up in a form wherein it resembles for all practical purposes the ordinary two-ply facial tissue heretofore available. However, if the tissue 5 is grasped by the tab portion 10* and is shaken out or restrained in some fashion, it will readily unfold to present a single ply having dimensions substantially twice those of the tissue in multi-ply form.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the tissue 5 may be folded as shown in FIG. 3 without requiring substantial modification of conventional equipment heretofore used in the folding of ordinary facial tissues. This is particularly true when the lower ply terminates along the edge 6 as shown in FIG. 3 and this constitutes one of the reasons for preferring this particular construction. It should also be pointed out that the omission of a tab portion corresponding with the tab portion 13 shown in my Patent No. 2,627,974 results in the use of a somewhat smaller amount of tissue stock in each unitary tissue 5 without noticeably reducing the utility or desirability thereof.

A stack of tissues 5, each manner above described, may be packed in a dispensing container 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Container 14 is provided with an access opening '15 running lengthwise through the central portion of the top Wall thereof as of which is folded in the shown in FIG. 1 through which access opening 15 the users fingers may be inserted to remove a facial tissue 5. The tab portions 9 and 10' of the uppermost tissue 5 are accessible to the user at each longitudinal side of the access opening 15. The container may have imprinted on the top wall thereof indicia such as S and D on either side of the access opening to indicate that the tissues are so stacked in the container that they may be Withdrawn as single or double-play structures. To this end the tabs are positioned beneath the indicia S and the tabs 9 are positioned beneath the indicia D.

Thus, if the user grasps the tab 9 beneath the letter D the tissue 5 will be withdrawn in two-ply form. If he grasps the tab 10 beneath the letter S the tissue will unfold as it is withdrawn through the opening and will assume single-ply form.

While I have herein described preferred forms and have illustrated one preferred form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that modifications in construction and arrangement may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, while this invention is particularly useful in connection with facial tissues, it will be apparent that the structural features of this invention may be adapted to equivalent products including those made of heavier absorbent material and identified as towels or wipers and the like. Furthermore, some manufacturers may prefer to start with a sheet comprising two or more plies and thus form tissues which might be called f0ur--ply or six-ply in the form I call two-ply and might be called twoply or three-ply in the form I call one-ply. Obviously the present invention would offer the same advantages in connection with such equivalent structures.

I claim:

1. A facial tissue comprising a rectangular sheet of soft absorbent material of predetermined thickness folded upon itself along a line parallel with an edge of said sheet and removed from the center line thereof to provide a structure having an area of double thickness which terminates along the edge of said sheet which is disposed inwardly of the edge parallel thereto, and said structure having an area of single thickness lying between said parallel edges, said structure being folded upon itself along a second line parallel with said first line and within the area of double thickness to provide a first tab of double thickness lying upon the upper surface of said structure with said first fold line defining the inner edge of said first tab, said structure being folded upon itself along a third line parallel with said first and second lines and substantially coincident with said inwardly disposed edge of said sheet to provide a second tab of single thickness lying upon the upper surface of said structure with an edge of said sheet defining the inner edge of said second tab.

2. A stack comprising a plurality of aligned facial tissues, each said tissue being formed of a rectangular sheet of soft absorbent material of predetermined thickness folded upon itself along a line parallel with an edge of said sheet and removed from the center line thereof to provide a structure having an area of double thickness which terminates along the edge of said sheet which is disposed inwardly of the edge parallel thereto, and said structure having an area of single thickness between said parallel edges, said structure being folded upon itself along a second line parallel with said first line and within the area of double thickness to provide a first tab of double thickness lying upon the upper surface of said structure with said first fold line defining the inner edge of said first tab, and said structure bei g folded upon itself along a third line parallel with said first and second lines and substantially coincident with said inwardly disposed edge of said sheet to provide a second tab of single thickness lying upon the upper surface of said structure with an edge of said sheet defining the inner edge of said second tab.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

